Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson For Grades Pre-K-2 This Pack contains: 1 ARTICLE 3 IMAGES 1 VIDEO © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 1 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play baseball in the modern era of the major leagues. He played as an infielder and outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 through 1956. Jackie Robinson was the first Black player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. AP © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson played 10 seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers. His lifetime batting average was .311. UPI/Bettmann Archive Early Life Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He grew up in Pasadena, California. He was a star athlete in football, basketball, track, and baseball at the University of California at Los Angeles. From 1942 to 1945 he served in the U.S. Army. After leaving the Army Robinson played baseball for the Kansas City Monarchs. The team belonged to the Negro American League. At that time only white players were allowed in the major leagues. Major League Career Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was interested in making big-league baseball open to Black players. He knew that the first African American brought into the majors would have to be very special. When Rickey met Robinson, he knew he had found the right person. Robinson first played for the Dodgers in 1947. At the end of the season he was chosen as the best new player in baseball. In 1949 he was chosen as the most valuable player in the National League. © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 3 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson slides toward home during a game against the Boston Braves in August 1948. AP Although Robinson played well, things were not always easy. Players and people in the crowd often shouted hateful things at him. Pitchers sometimes threw the ball at him on purpose. But Robinson refused to quit. Jackie Robinson appeared on the cover of a comic book in 1951. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZC4-6144) Robinson helped the Dodgers win six National League pennants and one World Series title. He retired from baseball in 1957. Later Years Robinson then became a businessman and worked for civil rights. In 1962 he became the first Black player in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Robinson died in Stamford, Connecticut, on October 24, 1972. © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 4 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson In 1997 Major League Baseball honored Robinson by retiring his number 42 jersey. No other major league player can wear that number. Citation (MLA style): "Jackie Robinson." Britannica LaunchPacks: Jackie Robinson, Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Feb. 2021. packs- preview.eb.com. Accessed 10 Aug. 2021. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson slides toward home during a game against the Boston Braves in August 1948. AP Citation (MLA style): Jackie Robinson. Image. Britannica LaunchPacks: Jackie Robinson, Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Feb. 2021. packs- preview.eb.com. Accessed 10 Aug. 2021. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 5 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson appeared on the cover of a comic book in 1951. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZC4-6144) Citation (MLA style): Jackie Robinson. Image. Britannica LaunchPacks: Jackie Robinson, Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Feb. 2021. packs- preview.eb.com. Accessed 10 Aug. 2021. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 6 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson was the first Black player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. AP Citation (MLA style): Jackie Robinson. Image. Britannica LaunchPacks: Jackie Robinson, Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Feb. 2021. packs- preview.eb.com. Accessed 10 Aug. 2021. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 7 of 8 Britannica LaunchPacks | Jackie Robinson Robinson, Jackie Video Transcript NARRATOR: Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play major league baseball in modern times. Many players and fans of baseball greeted him with hateful remarks and even death threats. But Robinson responded with grace and selflessness. He knew, as it says on his tombstone, that “a life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Players now honor Robinson by wearing his number, 42, every April 15. April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Citation (MLA style): Robinson, Jackie. Video. Britannica LaunchPacks: Jackie Robinson, Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Feb. 2021. packs- preview.eb.com. Accessed 10 Aug. 2021. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. © 2020 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 8 of 8.